HULL FC coach Peter Gentle says there will be no room for sentiment when he comes to tell his players which 17 have made his side to face Wigan in Saturday's Challenge Cup final.
Gentle intends to put all tension over team selection to bed by naming his Wembley side to face the Warriors after today's training session.
It means the likes of Tom Lineham, Kirk Yeaman, Danny Tickle, Richard Horne and Joe Arundel had one final session to prove their fitness and secure a place.
Gentle will also make a tough decision on whether to retain youngster Jamie Shaul in the role of full-back following an impressive run of performances in Super League.
But the Aussie, preparing for the first major final of his career as a head coach, has promised to make the tough choices needed to ensure he selects the strongest side, both physically and mentally, to handle the huge occasion.
"It is tough for anyone who misses out, but I want to win this cup and to do that I have to pick the best 17 players available," he told the Mail.
"The guys who are playing want the best 17 available and this is no time to look after mates. The team will be picked on the balance of the team and form.
"The players have been told if they are not involved in today's training session then they will not be considered for the game.
"There are a couple already that are very doubtful.
"The guys are either fit to play or they are not. I am not going to let it linger on all week. We will select the squad today, there will be no case of giving anyone up to kick-off or even Friday to prove their fitness, it is too big a week.
"We have planned everything down to the minute this week and we cannot afford to be moving things around or trying to accommodate players."
Gentle's injury woes have eased somewhat with Yeaman and Tickle expected to come through training and feature at Wembley.
Arundel remains a major doubt with a fractured finger, while Lineham is also touch and go despite running on his injured ankle for the first time yesterday.
Following a light session yesterday, Gentle was set to cast his eye over his full squad today in a tough full contact session.
It's a vital day for the likes of Arundel and Lineham to prove they can come through 80 minutes at Wembley, likewise for Horne who is pushing to play.
Hull's most experienced player could cover at centre for Arundel or even return at full-back for Shaul.
"Jamie has given himself every opportunity to play and we will see what the week brings for him and the rest of the guys," added Gentle.
"If Rich plays, where he plays depends on whoever else is fit to play. He could play centre, full-back, on the bench, there are too many possibilities right now to consider until we know who is fit.
"I've told the players not to be selfish if they're not fit. I can't afford for them to go out there to experience Wembley and break down."
